Monday, February 6, 2012

New Year's Resolution


I actually made my New Year's resolution back on January 1st, but waited to share it until I thought it was doable.  My goal is to run a 10 mile race this spring.  I am hoping to sign up for the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia in May.  Word on the street is that the race sells out really fast, so hopefully I will get in.
When I started running in 2009, I hated it.  I had signed up for a triathlon and knew I needed to be able to run a 5K (3.1 miles) along with the cycling and swimming.  Training was tough - I was always sore and very tired afterwards.  Swimming and biking never left me so sore!  But I kept at it and eventually ran in a 5K event logging just under a 10 minute mile.  I am still running, mostly because even a break of a week seems to set me back.  I continue to plug away at it, entering a few 5K events each year.  I even completed an 8K (about 5 miles) and a 4 mile trail event!  My times keep getting faster.  I can now run just over an eight minute mile.  I even won two 5K Women's Masters Titles at our local race the past two years. (Master's is best time for man/woman over the age of 40.)
Somewhere along the way, I started to like running.  Some days are still hard to get going - its cold or rainy, my schedule is full, reading would be much more relaxing.  But I love the feeling after a good workout.  My body seems to hum with energy (and I don't feel so guilty eating some chocolate).  So naturally, I decided that I need to challenge myself with more distance.  Ten miles - here I come!
I signed up for a half-marathon(13.1 miles) training plan. Sunday was my first long run - "easy run for 60 minutes".  The temperature was 40 degrees with sun and a brisk wind. I ran from Flora lane to Memorial park in Hook and back - 6.12 miles!  My time was slow with a 9.57 minute mile.  I am okay with that.  I don't need to be fast, I just want to be able to do it! Suprisingly, my legs aren't too sore today, which thankfully is a rest day.  I think I'll go take a nap- it is part of my training!